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04 Mar 2015 10:56:18am

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Aldo Caretenuto's book, 'A Secret Symmetry', explores the material available about Sabine Spielrein, Jung and Freud, and concluded that we can't even be sure there was a sexual relationship of any kind between Jung and Spielrein, let alone a sado-masochistic one. No doubt, at a time when the whole psychoanalytic movement was just learning that such things as transference and counter-transference existed, and could be employed usefully within the therapeutic container (i.e., not being acted out), many mistakes were made. There is no doubt that a particularly strong variant of this manifested between them. Jung was the first to suggest that analysts experience analysis themselves as one of many moves analysis made to protect analyst and analysand from the power of the psyche to overwhelm in the way the film depicts. It is unfortunate that this movie and the Zone misrepresent the known facts in ways that could jeopardize current and prospective analysands' trust in therapy. Germaine Greer has recently argued that so-called 'historical' depictions of real people, especially of those still living, can be both damaging and distressing in ways authors and film makers might not predict. I think there needs to be greater awareness of this: there lies an ethical responsibility. Jung was once asked by the BBC to reveal inside information re Freud, but he demurred. The interviewer came back: But Freud has been dead these many years. Jung replied that, nevertheless, there are certain things that go beyond the grave. This is no different than the privacy analysis and psychotherapy affords its participants.The story of Freud, Jung and Spielrein is far more interesting than the movie portrays. These were pioneers of the discovery of the dynamic unconscious at a time when most people had no idea that they were more than what they consciously thought and felt. This devaluing prejudice about the breadth and depth of human nature persists, particularly when we identify only with our intellects. Perhaps Alan et al can revisit Jung in particular? He was all that Alan said - a bit of a philosopher, mystic, shaman - but he also held himself to be a scientist and, broadly speaking, a phenomenologist. By the way, my nano-pod is full of your shows - philosophy accompanies my spade and hoe.

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